City council will hear from the public on Monday about a proposal to develop the eastern Paskapoo Slopes in southwest Calgary.
The planning commission approved the outline plan from Trinity Development Group in June and is recommending council approve the land use Amendment and Policy Amendment.
The city says Calgarians have been allowed to use the land for recreation for many years but the 260 acre parcel of land, east of Canada Olympic Park, is actually owned by Trinity and it is now interested in building on part of it.
The site runs from Bowfort Road east to Sarcee Trail and includes the slope from the Trans-Canada Highway to the top of the hill.
Trinity is looking to build an urban village on part of the site and says it will put aside over 160 acres for a regional park.
Some people say the development will hurt the area and are hoping a compromise on its use can be reached.
Laurie Quon is a member of Save the Slopes and says her organization is working for the preservation of the area.
“It’s a very special place. It’s archeologically unique. It’s environmentally unique. It has huge recreational benefits for people in Calgary,” said Quon. “It’s a very unique, inner-city wilderness of 260 acres in Calgary that is unusual to find in any urban centre.”
Quon says they have about 30 speakers lined up to address council on the proposal and that other groups are also planning to attend the public hearing.
“I think there will be quite a few speakers, presenting some fairly good arguments as to why this development application should not go ahead,” she said.
A Public Hearing of Council is being held at City Hall on Monday and anyone who wishes to speak out on the proposal is invited to do so.
For more information on the East Paskapoo Slopes, click HERE.
